Aldrich, Asteria and Orroark followed Darren to a neighbouring building. The door was a standard size, seven-foot-tall, and the group mistaken this building as a two-story. It seemed to be sized to their size instead of the smaller races of the town.
“Here you go, lads.” Darren pointed out with a key in his hand. “It isn’t much, but the beds and furniture are designed for big uns like you lot.”
Asteria grabbed the key, “Thank you, Milita Captain….”
“None of that lad, I’m just a retired guard from the large town up north. Thought I that this place would be quiet enough for me, but dealing with big bugs and gobos has kept me on my toes.”
Ignoring the goblin reference, “So, the mayor told us that you had the information about the job with the bees,” Aldrich stated
“Yeah, I do. The bees are held up in the covered bridge. Pain in the arse, they are.” Darren spat on the ground. “No trade wagons been in town for weeks now, and my squad is too green to deal with the bugs.”
“Could you tell us, Mr Darren, what is the desire of the town with these horrific vermin?” Asteria asked.
“Kill them or whatever! Just get rid of the problem.” Darren points to the inn; the sign has a lion with bat wings and scorpion tail jumping out of a bag. “Just order from my girl over there for dinner. There isn’t a place for you all on my inn, but my girl will deliver your food here.”
With that, he stomped back to the inn, leaving the brothers standing in front of the house. Orroark swiped the key from Asteria and opened the door. “Why are we standing here? I got some reading to do about these bees!”
They walked into the place; it is just one large room: two tables, a fireplace and four double bunks with hooks hammered into the wall for their bags.
“What no bath? I need to wash.” Complained Asteria.
“Dunderhead, head over to the inn and see if they have a tub.” Aldrich shook his head; he walked about, lighting the three lamps in the area. “So what are we looking at, Orroark?”
Asteria left the bunkhouse in search of somewhere to bathe. Looking down at his book of nature, Orroark adjusted his glasses with no lens in them; he only has them to make him look smart. “The giant bees have a poison sting, and unlike their small brother bees, they can sting many times.” Orroark rubs his face. “Hmmm, it seems that they are susceptible to smoke like normal bees. Can we use that?”
Aldrich scratched his chin, “Maybe, there is an alchemist here, so we can get some smokesticks made, but I’m not paying for that. Might go and talk with a few locals. What does it say about the royal jelly?”
Orroark shook his head, “Nothing but if it is magical, Asteria might know.”
“He is going to be too busy prettying himself up tonight. You stay here and read. I’ll scope out the town.”
Orroark gave a thumbs up, and he stared at the book in front of him. Aldrich headed over to see what was taking Asteria so long. There he was, leaning up against the wall talking to a young female halfling. The last thing we need has the pretty boy picking up the innkeeper’s daughter. Aldrich thought.
“Hey, brother,” Asteria looked over, his face slightly flushed. “Thought you were looking for a tub to bathe?”
“I am, Aldrich; I just got into such a captivating conversation with this beautiful woman.” Asteria wink at the small girl, who giggled and blushed.
“Sure, sure. Did you at least order dinner?” Aldrich looked up to see the sun just coming to early dusk.
“Yes, he did, um sir.” The halfling woman said. “I am Teresa; my mother is working on a pot of stew with a basket of bread. Have you lit the fire yet?”
Shaking his head, Aldrich looked pointedly at his brother. “Go wash up.” And with a lighter tone, he spoke to Teresa while Asteria walked off with his head high. “Sorry for my brother.”
“No, worries, I have had merchants and guards be a lot more forward with me than your brother,” Teresa said.
“You know why we are here?” Teresa nodded. “I was wondering if you knew anyone in the town who looks at the bees in a more positive light?”
Teresa looked thoughtful, “There is one of the farmer families, Hermes and his wife, Enes. They have a few hives of normal bees, and they are our local brewers as well. They have been thinking of building a larger hive to house the giant bees, but no one wants to try.”
“Hmm, interesting. Where is the farm?” Aldrich asked.
“Just head up the road and take the first right path, and it will lead you to their farm,” Teresa replied.
Good, I will chat with them tomorrow, Aldrich thought. It seems we can make a little more money out of this job. “Thank you, can you point me to the woodpile as we have nothing to light our fireplace?”
Teresa pointed past the inn. “Just around there, grab what you want. I should head in and check on your dinner.”
Aldrich nodded and headed over to the woodpile with gold coins clinking in his head. Yes, this will be well worth the effort!
Samuel Colbran 